Community Engagement Liaison - Riverdale Animal Shelter

What Success Looks Like In This Job

The Community Engagement Liaison reports directly to and works closely with the Animal Shelter Executive Director overseeing all aspects of community engagement and outreach for the Riverdale Animal Shelter. This position provides strategic leadership and supervision for the shelter’s volunteer program and serves as the liaison to the County's Communication Department to develop and update shelter-specific messaging, social media, and marketing materials. Responsibilities are focused on continually enhancing positive community relationships that support the shelter’s mission and goals through thoughtful engagement with internal and external stakeholders, to include donors, patrons, residents, volunteers, interns, boards, schools, and community-based organizations.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned, required.
• Coordinate community outreach endeavors, tours, presentations, and special events
• Identify and assist with grant proposals and grant reporting requirements
• Participate in animal welfare related committees, meetings, and trainings as required
• Develop strategies for increasing community engagement, outreach, and service access for residents
• Provide strategic direction for the shelter’s volunteer program to include direct supervision and support for the Volunteer Coordinator
• Maintain inventory of and distribute shelter uniforms and business cards
• Serve on the Shelter's Leadership team and as the Manager on Duty as needed
• Train and coordinate tour guide, vaccination clinic, and community event volunteers
• Facilitate regular trainings for shelter staff and volunteers
• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Assist with written and visual content and updates for shelter’s website, social media, and printed materials
• Work with the Administrative Coordinator to assist with inventory/display of retail items
• Promote shelter brand. Ensure brand and style standards across all materials
• Professionally represent the mission, philosophies, and goals of the Shelter
• Serve as a spokesperson and media contact to include assisting with crisis communications as needed
• In conjunction with the County Communications Department:
  • Assist with written and visual content and updates for shelter’s website, social media, and printed materials
  • Serve as a spokesperson and media contact to include assisting with crisis communications as needed
  • Promote shelter brand. Ensure brand and style standards across all materials
• Create and maintain event calendars. Prepare monthly and year-end reports
• Manage donor database and ensure timely acknowledgements.
• Coordinate the shelter’s vaccination clinics in conjunction with the shelter’s customer care and health care teams
• Supervises the Volunteer Coordinator
• Respond to event, tour, volunteer, and donor inquires. Schedule and lead shelter tours and serve as the point of contact for events.

Qualifications for Success

• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Strong commitment to the welfare of and the humane treatment of animals
• Experience with creating written or visual content for newsletters, manuals, blogs, websites, social media posts, educational, and/or marketing materials preferred
• Ability to conceptualize, plan, budget for, and coordinate successful events
• Must be able to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia and the responses other individuals may have humane euthanasia.
• Prior experience with donor management and grant writing
• Ability to manage sensitive and/or controversial subjects with tact, kindness, and professionalism
• Effective written communication skills to include business, technical, and/or creative writing and editing
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the willingness to continually develop cultural competency to serve people from a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Experience working or volunteering in an animal shelter strongly preferred
• Strong commitment to customer service excellence. Community outreach experience a plus
• Demonstrated leadership and/or management skills. Experience with volunteer management preferred
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills, to include enjoyment of and confidence with public speaking
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software and donor management systems

More Qualifications for Success

• Background Check: Must pass a criminal (CBI) background check.
• Work Environment: Work is performed throughout the shelter and internal office settings. Exposure to high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, potentially fearful/fractious animals and/or animal bites/scratches. Exposure to cleaning agents. Work can be emotionally taxing.
• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years professional experience with a nonprofit, government, and/or animal welfare organization. At least one (1) year of experience managing employees and/or volunteers. Experience in an animal welfare environment strongly preferred.
• Work Schedule: Work schedule is generally five days per week. Required to work some evenings and weekends to support training and special events. Hybrid remote position with the option to work at least one day per week from home.
• Education and Training: Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Public Administration, Business, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, or closely related field required. Fear Free Shelter certified or the ability to become Fear Free Shelter certified within 60 days of employment.
• Work Location: 12155 Park Blvd, Brighton, CO 80601.
• License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver's license.
• Physical Requirements: Occasional lifting and carrying of up to 40 pounds. Frequent computer use. Potential for standing, walking, sitting for extended periods of time. Bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, pulling, pushing. Occasional animal handling. Ability to drive a car or larger service vehicle.

Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Click here to watch our video about why Adams County is an Employer of Choice!

Benefits You Expect:

• Retirement Plan
• Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation/Sick leave
• Long-Term Disability
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Short-Term Disability
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance

Plus some you might not expect:

• Employee Fitness Center
• Employee Health Clinics
• Recreation Center Discounts
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Wellness programs
• Lactation friendly certified workplace
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Employee Assistance Program